1. Alabama High School Graduation Exam Test Vocabulary
Reading
Dr. Patrick Cain
SEHS Assistant Principal
Elmore County Schools
Mrs. Julie Turner
School Improvement Specialist
Dothan City Schools

2. Tone
The overall feeling, or effect created by a writer’s use of words. This feeling may be serious, humorous, satiric, and so on.

3. Theme
A central idea or a general
truth dramatized or implied

4. A fictional person in a story
Character
A fictional person in a story

5. The sequence of events in a story
Plot
The sequence of events in a story

6. Point of View The vantage point from which the story is told.
First person—the story is told by one of the characters
Third person—the story is told by someone outside the story

7. The person who is telling
Narrator
The person who is telling
the story.

8. Division of poetry named for the number of lines it contains
Stanza
Division of poetry named for the number of lines it contains

9. Sarcasm The use of praise to mock someone or something
Example: “He’s a real he-man.”

10. Satire
Literary tone used to ridicule or make fun or a human vice or weakness, often with the intent of correcting, or changing, the subject of the satiric attack.

11. Analyze
To break down a problem or situation into separate parts or relationships

12. Compare
To use examples to show how things are similar and different, with the greater emphasis on similarities.

13. To use examples to show how things are different in one or more ways
Contrast
To use examples to show how things are different in one or more ways

14. To present the main points of an issue in a shortened form.
Summarize
To present the main points of an issue in a shortened form.

15. Evaluate
To make a value judgment, to give the pluses and minuses along with supporting evidence

16. The time and place in which the action of a story occurs
Setting
The time and place in which
the action of a story occurs

17. Illogical thinking or false
Faulty Logic
Illogical thinking or false
arguments

18. Preview When you preview you are attempting to get a general
picture of what the
assignment or passage is
about.

19. The reason for an action or
Cause
The reason for an action or
situation

20. author tells you directly
Comprehension
Understanding what an
author tells you directly

21. The phrases and sentences
Context
The phrases and sentences
that surround a word

22. The results of a situation or
Effect
The results of a situation or
action

23. Fact
A statement that can be
proved

24. Words that mean something other than their literal
Figurative Language
Words that mean something
other than their literal
meaning

25. A conclusion not directly stated but drawn from a set
Inference
A conclusion not directly
stated but drawn from a set
of facts or opinions

26. The central message of a passage; what the passage
Main Idea
The central message of a
passage; what the passage
is about

27. Writing about real people, places, events, and social
Nonfiction
Writing about real people,
places, events, and social
issues

28. Opinion A statement that cannot be proved; a statement that
reflects an individual or
group’s interpretation of
something

29. Supporting Details Specific statements that
give more information about
the central message of a
passage

30. Textual Materials generally read for information, such as charts,
graphs, encyclopedias,
news, magazines, essays,
lab manuals, and material
found in textbooks

31. Materials generally read for magazines, poems, novels,
Recreational
Materials generally read for
pleasure, such as
magazines, poems, novels,
and short stories

32. Functional Materials generally read for a
precise action, such as directions,
maps, schedules (television, bus),
menus (computer, restaurant),
catalogues, instructions, and other
material generally encountered in
everyday life beyond the
classroom

33. Without error; correct
Accurately
Without error; correct

34. A distinct often numbered
Article
A distinct often numbered
selection of writing

35. Head of a subdivision as in
Subheading
Head of a subdivision as in
an outline or passage

36. Difference Between Effect and Affect
Effect—Outcome traceable to a cause
Affect—to produce a material influence upon; to act upon

37. Apparent Manifest to the senses or mind as real or true on the
basis of evidence that may
or may not be factually valid

38. Excerpt A small portion from a passage, book, or other
piece of writing

39. containing descriptive or
Brochure
Pamphlet or booklet
containing descriptive or
advertising material

40. the order of time in which
Chronologically
Arranged in
the order of time in which
events happened

41. treated or basic physical
Technique
The manner in which
technical details are
treated or basic physical
movements are used

42. A statement listing the
Testimonial
A statement listing the
benefits of someone or
something

43. subject about which he/she
Author’s Viewpoint
How an author views the
subject about which he/she
is writing

44. The reason an author wrote a passage or other piece of
Author’s Purpose
The reason an author wrote
a passage or other piece of
writing

45. Propaganda Uses persuasive techniques to encourage people to act
based on their emotions
alone, instead of using solid
reasoning.

46. Narrative
A story